Unpublished BIA Decisions
Index of Unpublished BIA Decisions
IRAC also publishes an Index containing links and summaries to hundreds of unpublished decisions selected for their potential to assist respondents in removal proceedings. The Index is organized by subject matter and updated on a monthly basis. Click this link to preview and purchase the Index of Unpublished Decisions of the Board of Immigration Appeals.
Index of Unpublished Decisions of The Board of Immigration Appeals (2024 edition)
This Index contains links to more than 5,000 unpublished BIA decisions selected for their potential to assist noncitizens in removal proceedings. It is updated on a monthly basis with recently issued decisions. Purchasers will receive emails each month for the rest of 2024 containing an updated version of the Index and a separate list of newly added cases. Purchasers will also receive a discount on IRAC’s same day BIA filing service for the rest of 2024. For individual purchasers, the cost of the Index is $150. IRAC also offers group pricing to firms, law school clinics, and non-profit organizations. To purchase the Index, email author Ben Winograd at bwinograd@irac.net. A preview of the Index is available below.
Ramon Garcia-Fonseca, A075 535 094 (BIA June 5, 2014)
In this unpublished decision, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) was not inadmissible for having “admitted” violating a law related to a controlled substance based on a guilty plea to methamphetamine possession that resulted in his placement in a California drug diversion program. The Board noted that respondent was not convicted for immigration purposes under Lujan-Armendariz v. INS, 222 F.3d 728 (9th Cir. 2000), and that a guilty plea which results in something less than a "conviction" is not tantamount to an "admission" of the crime. The decision was written by Member Roger Pauley and joined by Member Linda Wendtland and Member Patricia Cole.
Irma Yadira Murillo-Ayala, A078 964 772 (BIA June 3, 2014)
In this unpublished decision, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) rescinded an in absentia removal order in light of the fact that the respondent was 4 years old at the time of the hearing and is now potentially eligible for relief under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The Board also changed venue from Harlingen, Texas, to Orlando, Florida, because the respondent currently resides in Tampa, Florida, and his sister’s removal proceedings also are being conducted in Orlando. The decision was written by Member John Guendelsberger and joined by Member Sharon Hoffman and Member Elise Manuel.
Karla Figueroa Briceno, A095 084 539 (BIA May 30, 2014)
In this unpublished decision, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) reopened proceedings at which the respondent was removed in absentia over the opposition of the Department of Homeland Security. The respondent asserted that she missed her removal hearing in 2007 because a paralegal filed a change of address form without her consent. The decision was written by Member Elise Manuel and joined by Vice Chairman Charles Adkins-Blanch and Member Sharon Hoffman.
Juan Martinez-Alvarez, A200 759 323 (BIA May 29, 2014)
In this unpublished decision, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) held that reopening sua sponte was warranted to permit the respondent to have his application for adjustment of status heard on the merits. The Board noted that the law firm the respondent retained neglected to file a motion to substitute counsel after the attorney handling the respondent’s case left the firm, and that the firm did not advise the respondent of the court-imposed deadline to submit his adjustment application. The decision was written by Member John Guendelsberger and joined by Vice-Chairman Charles Adkins-Blanch and Member Elise Manuel.